The exciting Chevrolet WTCC Ultra racecar study was revealed at the 2006 Paris Motor Show in late September. Immediately after the show, Chevrolet decided to test the vehicle at the Estoril racetrack in Portugal and to show it to the public at the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) race on October 22, before exhibiting it at the Beijing Motor Show in November.

The three Chevrolet World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) racing drivers, Alain Menu, Nicola Larini and Rob Huff were extremely impatient to test the car at last after having seen the exciting concept vehicle in Paris.

Although it looks quite different from the current race car, the drivers got quickly familiar with the prototype. The sequential gear selector is almost like the one in the race car but the whole environment of the interior looks much more futuristic.

In line with Chevrolet's diesel offensive, the compact WTCC Ultra (length/width/height with spoiler: 4,324/1,906/1,569 mm, wheelbase: 2,650 mm) is equipped with a powerful 1,991 cm3 diesel unit generating 139 kW/190 hp. The basis of the four-cylinder engine is the common rail unit with four-valve technology and variable turbine blade geometry currently powering the Chevrolet Captiva and due to go into the Chevrolet Epica from spring 2007. The increase in performance was achieved by raising the turbo boost pressure.

“I’m really impressed by the turbo diesel engine. It has high torque and good acceleration even at low engine speeds. I would have never expected a concept car to be that well executed and performing so nicely at such an early development phase,” says Nicola Larini.

At the final ETCC race of this season, which took place on Sunday, October 22, at the Estoril racetrack, the WTCC Ultra concept car was ready at the starting line in pouring rain. It served as the lead car and the public at the track as well as the viewers of Eurosport could admire it for one lap. The Chevrolet WTCC Ultra had a memorable "baptism"...